The Cumberland Trail (officially the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park but more commonly referred to as the Cumberland Trail) is a rugged hiking trail located in East Tennessee. The trail follows a line of picturesque ridges and gorges along the eastern ridge of the Cumberland Plateau and the slopes of the Cumberland Mountains. The trail begins at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and ends at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in northwest Georgia, just outside of Chattanooga.
Hikers who are ambitious enough to complete the entire journey can enjoy meandering through 11 counties in Tennessee, which includes two time zones. There are more than 210 miles of completed trail between Cumberland Gap and Chattanooga, with many more miles of trails planned for the near future. Multiple pristine streams run along the trail, including the Obed Wild and Scenic River, Daddy’s Creek, Piney Creek, Laurel Creek, and Rock Creek.
Camping on the Trail
Backcountry campsites are available throughout the trail system. Registration is required for overnight parking at some trailheads and campsites.
The History of the Cumberland Trail
The trail was established in 1971 as a State Scenic Trail. In 1998, it became Tennessee’s 53rd state park and was renamed for Justin P. Wilson in honor of his commitment to environmental work as well as completing the 11-county passage. Wilson served as Tennessee’s Deputy Governor from 1996 to 2003 as well as completing six terms as the state’s 34th Comptroller from 2009 to 2021.
Management of the Trail
The Trail is managed by the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park and links several State Park lands, State Natural Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Management Areas along the way. The acquisition of land and construction/maintenance of the trail is done through a partnership with the Cumberland Trails Conference, the Friends of the Cumberland Trail, and other 501(c)(3) organizations as well as volunteer groups. Once completed, the trail corridor will encompass the largest acreage within a Tennessee State Park unit, extending more than 300 miles from Cumberland Gap at the Tennessee/Virginia/Kentucky border to the Tennessee River Gorge just outside Chattanooga.For more information, contact Tennessee State Parks at 888-867-2757. Click here for additional reading material on the trail.